2013 Great Lakes Homeland Security Training Conference & Expo Welcome to Grand Rapids, Michigan—where you can go from big-city excitement to laid-back leisure and recreation within the space of a few minutes! Enjoy our walkable downtown which includes the following attractions: Grand Rapids Art Museum—(616) 831-1000 (Open until 9:00pm on Fridays) The Grand Rapids Art Museum was awarded LEED Gold Status making it the first purpose-built green art museum in the world. (Regular price $8.00; discounted price with convention badge is $7.00). Gerald R. Ford Museum—(616) 254-0374 Experience America's most entertaining presidential museum. Attend a White House State Dinner, step inside the Oval Office and see the original Watergate burglar tools. Visitors can also see President Ford's and First Lady, Betty Ford’s burial site. (Regular price $7.00; discounted price with convention badge is $5.00). Public Museum of Grand Rapids—(616) 456-3977 (Open until 9:00pm on Tuesdays) A collection of world-class exhibitions on history, nature, cultural heritage, Native Americans, 19th-century Grand Rapids cityscape and more. Currently Featuring: TITANIC The Artifact Exhibition now through September 8. More than 150 legendary artifacts conserved from the ship's debris field are showcased offering a poignant look at this iconic ship and its passengers. There is an additional fee of $10.00 to see this exhibit and it’s important to call 1-800-585-3737 to pre-purchase Titanic tickets as they cannot be purchased the day off your visit. (Regular price $8.00; discounted price with convention badge is $7.00). Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park—located 10 minutes away from downtown (616) 957-1580 This attraction is a 118-acre oasis where sculpture and nature beautifully harmonized! You’ll see gardens, scenic waterfalls, Michigan's largest tropical conservatory and more than 200 sculptures by renowned artists. Currently Featuring the Butterflies Are Blooming Exhibit—Butterflies can be viewed flying freely within the five- story 15,000-square-foot Tropical Conservatory. This is the most attended annual exhibition. (Regular price $12.00; discounted price with convention badge is $8.00). Grand Rapids Events for April 29 – May 2 Handbell Ensemble—April 29 at 7:30pm Phone: 616-526-6282 Location: Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center located at 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Experience the talent, passion and dedication of more than 500 musically gifted Calvin College students performing varied repertoire. Cost: Admission is free; tickets are not required. Free Swing Dancing at Rosa Parks Circle— April 30 from 7:00-10:00pm Location: Rosa Parks Circle located across the street from the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Bar Divani Wine Social— May 1 from 6:30-8:30pm Phone: 616-774-9463 Location: Bar Divani located at 15 Ionia Ave SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Bar Divani’s wine socials are designed to be both fun and educational. Each week they feature a different varietal or region and offer six tastes of the wine. Cost: Varies from $15 - $30 for all six tastes based on the varietal of grape offered. Dr. Grins Comedy Club featuring Josh Sneed—May 2 at 9:00pm Phone: Call 616-356-2000 for tickets Location: The B.O.B. (Big Old Bldg.) located at 20 Monroe Downtown Grand Rapids Dr. Grins is Grand Rapids’ most unique venue for entertainment that brings in nationally acclaimed stand-up comedians and special comedic theatre. .